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Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia today ended any speculation senior Moses McCray, Hillsborough’s coveted defensive lineman, was wavering from his verbal commitment to Florida State.
Garcia, visiting the University of Tennessee’s football practice at the University of Tampa, told the Tribune that McCray is definitely heading to Tallahassee.
There had been some speculation that McCray, a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, was wavering on his commitment because the Terriers lineman had changed the background of his MySpace.com page to LSU. However, Garcia said he’s recently spoke to McCray’s mother, and she informed him to let everyone asking know her son was still intending to sign with the Seminoles in February.
In other Hillsborough recruiting news, Garcia added standout linebacker Marc Thomas recently got a good score on his ACT, which could open up his recruitment a bit.
Garcia wasn’t the only Hillsborough County football coach to visit Tennessee’s practice Friday. Gaither coach Mark Kantor also was there, as was standout running back Jarvis Giles.
Armwood senior lineman Matt Patchan will announce his college choice during a news conference on Jan. 5, the same day as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but his announcement won’t take place in San Antonio.
Armwood coach Sean Callahan said Thursday his standout two-way lineman, one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits, won’t play in the prestigious all-star game because he’s been battling a severe case of mononucleosis. Callahan said Patchan got sick shortly after the Hawks’ state semifinal loss to Miami Washington and has been advised by doctors not to play in the game.
Callahan said he didn’t know Patchan’s college choice. Patchan, who was recently named a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first-team selection and first-team All-USA by USA Today, has previously narrowed his choices to Florida, Miami and LSU.
Armwood senior offensive lineman Matt Patchan has been named first-team All-USA by USA Today.
Patchan, recently selected to the Tribune’s All-Hillsborough County first team, was the only local player appearing on either the first or second teams compiled by USA Today. Jeanette (Pa.) quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Pompano Beach Ely defensive back Patrick Johnson were named national offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, while Miami Washington coach Tim Harris, whose team defeated Armwood on its way to claiming the Class 4A state title, was named national coach of the year by the publication.
Patchan, who is gearing up for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 5, still has not made a decision on where he’ll play college football. He has narrowed his choices to Miami, Florida and LSU.
Armwood kicker/punter Wesley Skiffington has verbally committed to Stony Brook, Hawks coach Sean Callahan said Thursday.
Skiffington is the third consecutive Armwood senior kicker to land a college scholarship, joining Reid Macko (Kent State) and Darren deRochemont (Tulane).
Skiffington was 4 of 7 of field goal attempts this season and averaged 42.6 yards per punt.
Stony Brook is a Division I-AA program based in New York. The Seawolves went 6-5 this past season.
Hillsborough High School senior swimmers Reed Shimberg has been accepted to Tufts University and intends to swim for the school next fall, head coach Tom Paloumpis reported on Monday.
Shimberg, one of Paloumpis’ top swimmers this year, visited the Boston-based school in September. The Jumbos swim in Division III.
Shimberg swam in the 100 and 200 freestyle for Hillsborough most of the season and helped the school to a district title in October.
By EDDIE DANIELS
The Tampa Tribune
HUDSON - Standing at the head of a long row of tables inside the Hudson Career Resource Center, Danielle Fennimore slipped into a blue, short-sleeved Warner Southern College softball jersey.
As she buttoned the jersey, Warner Southern softball coach and athletic director, Shawn Gary, couldn’t help himself.
“You look good in blue,” he gushed shortly after Fennimore signed her letter-of-intent to play softball for the Royals.
Warner Southern will get a player who hit .508 last season with 14 doubles, seven triples and two home runs. As a sophomore, Fennimore led Pasco County with a .574 batting average.
“It’s a relief after seeing all my other friends signed already,” Fennimore said. “Finally. It’s a nice feeling. I’m not stressed out about anything [now].”
In June, Fennimore, a catcher, was invited to participate in the Louisville Slugger Independence Day Softball All-Star game in Boulder, Colorado. Last season, Fennimore collected an All-Sunshine Athletic Conference third team and a Pasco Tribune All-County Softball team honorable mention selection.
When she arrives to the Lakes Wales campus next season, she will be the team’s starting catcher.
“Before I signed, I didn’t think I was going to start, but I’ll probably be really nervous for my first college game,” said Fennimore, who admitted after visiting Saint Leo first and then Warner Southern, the latter school felt right. “I’m going to wonder if I mess up will I get pulled or is it the same as travel ball?”
Entering this season with one less thing to worry about won’t lull Fennimore into a half-hearted season. She plans to put in the same level of work that landed her the scholarship.
“I’ll always work hard and I’ll always try my best,” Fennimore said. “I don’t have to try to impress anyone, but I’ll play the same way and I won’t be nervous when I throw the ball or if I make a bad throw, ‘Did they see me?’ [Signing is] a big relief.”
Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.
Hillsborough High senior defensive back Andreas Ashwood has committed to Toledo, Hillsborough assistant and father, Alonzo Ashwood, said on Thursday.
Ashwood also has interested from Temple, Illinois State, Marshall, Middle Tennesee, Buffalo and Florida International.
Ashwood , listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, was selected to the Western Conference Defensive first-team.
Alonzo said Toledo coaches made a home visit two weeks ago to talk to Andreas, himself and his wife.
Jesuit senior guard Jake Seymour has committed to Washington University, a Division III school located in St. Louis, Seymour’s father, Wally, said on Thursday.
Seymour, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, currently leads the Tigers (5-4) with 17.9 points per game. Seymour’s father said Jake received a letter of acceptance from Washington on Wednesday. He said Jake, who has a 4.0 GPA, has enrolled in Washington’s business school.
Washington (6-2) is currently ranked No. 12 in the D3hoops.com National Poll.
Jefferson linebacker Gorby Loreus might end up playing in the state of Kentucky, just not for the Wildcats as originally planned.
The University of Kentucky has backed away from Loreus, but Western Kentucky stepped up and made him an offer.
“Whoever gets Gorby will be very lucky,” Jefferson coach Mike Fenton said.
Other Dragons players receiving collegiate attention include defensive lineman Troy Wolfe, offensive lineman Sebastian Cadavid and running back Jamil Crews. Cadavid and Crews are being courted by the Ivy League schools, including Harvard and Yale.
Defensive lineman Max Holloway has verbally committed to Boston College, but USF and Florida have emerged as contenders for his services.
“Florida usually come in late with offers, but I have talked to them about Max,” Fenton said.
As for quarterback Zack Grossi, he received an offer from South Dakota State and Hofstra and Tulane are expressing an interest. Colorado State also remains a possibility.
“He was No. 1 on Colorado State’s board, but then their coach was fired,” Fenton said. “Two assistant coaches were retained though and they are still looking at him. Zack will play in college. He will play somewhere.”
Hillsborough assistant football coach Alonzo Ashwood, who is handling the bulk of Hillsborough’s recruiting, said he expects at least eight players to sign by National Signing Day in February.
According to the Tribune’s archives, no one signed from Hillsborough by National Signing Day last year.
Ashwood hopes the following players(w/colleges interested listed) will sign by February:
Chuck Grace, DB (Temple, Florida International); Andreas Ashwood, DB (Temple, Toledo); Marc Thomas, LB (Georgia Southern); Erik Fennell, SS (n/a); Antonio McKay, OL (Albany State); Iziah Wyche, RB (Albany State), Moses McCray, DE (verbal commit to FSU); and Charlie Hughlett, OL (The Citadel).
Middleton senior Corey Thomas confirmed after his basketball team’s 70-44 win over Jefferson that he has signed to play baseball for USF. Thomas was named an honorable mention to The Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County Baseball team as a junior.
Thomas said he signed in November.
Middleton football coach Harry Hubbard said Wednesday that senior quarterback De’Andre Presley has been offered by Jacksonville University. Presley, who will play in the Hillsborough County Senior All-Star game Saturday at Raymond James, passed for 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns this seaosn.
Former Countryside baseball player Josh Castanza has signed with Nicholls State.
Castanza, a left-handed pitcher, spent last season at Hillsborough Community College.
Newsome senior swimmer Kelli Kyle signed with Clemson last week, Newsome athletic director Paul Lindstrom confirmed.
She finished second at state in the 100 backstroke with a time of 55.81, good enough for all-America status.
Former Berkeley Prep baseball player Luke Erickson, a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher, has signed with Virginia Tech.
Erickson played for the Bucs last season and helped the team reach the region semifinals, but he and his family moved to Virginia after the school year. He is now enrolled at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, according to a release by the Virginia Tech athletic office.
Erickson didn’t log any time on the mound last season, but contributed to the Bucs’ success as a utility player. He hit .293 with three home runs, eight RBIs and 12 runs scored.
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